David Winters (choreographer)


David Winters was an English-American actor, dancer, choreographer, producer, film distributor, director and screenwriter. Winters participated in over 150 television series, television specials, and motion pictures. His accolades include two Emmy Award nominations, a Peabody Award, a Christopher Award, and many more. At a young age, he was seen acting in film and television projects such as Lux Video Theatre, Naked City, Mister Peepers, Rock, Rock, Rock, and Roogie's Bump. He received some attention in Broadway musicals for his roles in West Side Story and Gypsy. In the film adaptation of West Side Story he was one of the few to be re-cast. It became the highest grossing motion picture of that year, and won 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
While Winters continued acting, he gained recognition for his dance choreography. He was frequently seen on television with his troupe David Winters Dancers in various variety shows most notably Hullabaloo where he was the first to choreograph the Watusi, originated the Freddy, and popularized several dances in the 1960s. He was a common collaborator of Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret including their hit film Viva Las Vegas. Other dance choreography credits include T.A.M.I. Show, Send Me No Flowers, Billie, A Star Is Born, and more. For the TV movie Movin' with Nancy, he is noted to be the first dance choreographer to be nominated in the history of the Emmys in the category Special Classification of Individual Achievements before the category Outstanding Achievement in Choreography was created.
Winters eventually became a director and a producer starting with a streak of star-studded TV specials including Raquel! and Once Upon a Wheel. His first theatrical release was the concert film ', it is noted for imaginative costumes and set. He also directed The Last Horror Film . It was Joe Spinell's second lead role and his last collaboration with Caroline Munro. Another directorial effort was the teenage romance skateboarding film Thrashin, starring Josh Brolin in his first lead. In the mid 1980s, Winters opened his own production and distribution company, Action International Pictures, within this enterprise he mostly produced for other directors, a number of them by directed by David A. Prior starring his brother Ted. Some of these cult classics include Deadly Prey, Aerobicide, Mankillers, Space Mutiny, etc. From then on he specialized in action-oriented films many with recurring actors such as Robert Ginty, David Carradine, Robert Davi, Jan-Michael Vincent, Cameron Mitchell, and Oliver Reed.
From 2000 to 2019, Winters remained an active member of the film industry. Some of these efforts includes acting in mini series Blackbeard with Angus Macfadyen, and Jessica Chastain and the Sundance winner Teddy Bear, as well as producing the historical epic The King Maker with Gary Stretch and John Rhys Davies. He also produced, directed, and co-starred in two award-winning films Welcome 2 Ibiza, with Gary Busey and Mackenzie Astin, and ', with winners and runners-up of the TV shows So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars, this ensemble is led by Witney Carson and also co-stars Gary Daniels. His last output was his memoir Tough Guys Do Dance, about his journey in the film industry.

Early life

Winters was born David Weizer in London, England, the son of Jewish parents Sadie and Samuel Weizer. His family relocated to the United States in 1953. He became a naturalized United States citizen in 1956. Winters was interested in dancing at an early age all the way through childhood.

Career

Early 1950s-1956: Early roles

At age 12, Winters was shining shoes to pay for dance classes afraid his mother wouldn't approve. She eventually caught him and made a deal to make him stop: if he did his bar mitzvah, she would bring him to dance classes. That same year, Winters was spotted by a talent agent while dancing in a Manhattan restaurant. From this point he began acting and dancing on television. By the age of 14 he had worked with Jackie Gleason, Martha Raye, Mindy Carson, Sarah Churchill, Wally Cox, George Jessel, Ella Raines, Paul Douglas, and Perry Como. He also was heard on radio plays with Donald Cook and Joseph Cotten. It led him to act in over 15 television shows during a span of 10 years, including Lux Video Theatre, Naked City, The Red Buttons Show, Mister Peepers and many more.
His first role in a motion picture was a supporting role in Roogie's Bump, alongside Ruth Warrick, Olive Blakeney, Robert F. Simon, and William Harrigan. It also includes cameos by baseball players Roy Campanella, Russ Meyer, Billy Loes, and Carl Erskine. That year he performed in the first Broadway revival of On Your Toes, directed by George Abbott and choreographed by George Balanchine. It opened on October 11, 1954 at the 46th Street Theatre, where it ran for 64 performances. The cast included Vera Zorina, Bobby Van, and Elaine Stritch. On November 23 of that year he starred in another Broadway play Sandhog.
In 1956 he played the role of Melville in Rock, Rock, Rock!. It is a jukebox musical featuring performances by established rock and roll singers of the era, including Chuck Berry, LaVern Baker, Teddy Randazzo, the Moonglows, the Flamingos, the Teenagers with Frankie Lymon as lead singer, and disc jockey Alan Freed. The cast includes Tuesday Weld, Connie Francis, Teddy Randazzo, and Jack Collins.

1957–1963: Major works in musicals

In 1957, he acted in Shinbone Alley. The Broadway production opened on April 13, 1957 at The Broadway Theatre and closed on May 25, 1957 after 49 performances. Other actors involved in the production were Eartha Kitt, Erik Rhodes, George S. Irving, Cathryn Damon, Jacques d'Amboise, Ross Martin, Lillian Hayman, and Allegra Kent. Later that year, he played the role of Baby John in the original Broadway production of West Side Story. It was conceived, directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins and produced by Robert E. Griffith and Harold Prince, marked Sondheim's Broadway debut. It ran for 732 performances before going on tour. The production was nominated for six Tony Awards including Best Musical in 1957.
On May 21, 1959, he starred as Yonkers in the original production of Gypsy. The show was produced by David Merrick and directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins. Ethel Merman starred as Rose, with Jack Klugman as Herbie and Sandra Church as Louise. Scenic and lighting design were by Jo Mielziner and costumes were by Raoul Pène Du Bois. The orchestrations, including an overture, were supplied by Sid Ramin and Robert Ginzler. Critic Frank Rich has referred to Robbins' work as one of the more influential stagings of a musical in American theatrical history. The original production received eight Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical, Best Actress in a Musical, Best Featured Actor in a Musical, Best Featured Actress in a Musical, Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design and Best Direction of a Musical. It closed on March 25, 1961 after 702 performances and two previews.
In 1960, he acted in the Broadway musical One More River.
In 1961, he appeared as A-Rab in the movie version of West Side Story directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins. He and Carole D'Andrea, Jay Norman, Tommy Abbott, William Bramley and Tony Mordente were the only actors to have been cast in both the original Broadway show and the motion picture. The film was the highest grossing motion picture of that year, going on to win 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, making it the most received by a musical film.
During that time and moving forward to 1967, he acted regularly on television. He was seen in about 17 high profile and award-winning television projects such as 77 Sunset Strip, Perry Mason, The Dick Powell Show, and more.

1964 to 1967: Emmy nominations and dance choreographer breakthrough

In 1964, he was the dance choreographer for major releases, the first one was Viva Las Vegas starring Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret. Ann-Margret, who was his student at the time, recommended him for the job. Directed by George Sidney, the film is regarded by fans and by film critics as one of Presley's better movies. Following this he did Norman Jewison's Send Me No Flowers starring Rock Hudson, Doris Day, and Tony Randall. The third was Don Weis' Pajama Party with Tommy Kirk, Annette Funicello, and Buster Keaton. The final one this year was Steve Binder's concert film T.A.M.I. Show, showcasing all the major rock and R&B acts of the time, including The Beach Boys, Chuck Berry, James Brown, Marvin Gaye, The Rolling Stones, and The Supremes. He also had a small role in the film The New Intern. On the 21th of September 1964 the variety show Shindig! premiered where Winters served as a choreographer. According to Winters the show was going well until the African American singer Round Robin was invited, and was told by the executive producers that the dancers weren't allowed to touch him while he would perform. Winters said that he was disgusted and quitted the show immediately.
In 1965, he choreographed two musicals starring Elvis Presley: Boris Sagal's Girl Happy and Norman Taurog's Tickle Me. He also choreographed two Ann-Margret films: Bus Riley's Back in Town and Kitten with a Whip. Another choreographer credit was Don Weis' Billie with Patty Duke. That year, he started to perform on television with his troupe, named the David Winters Dancers. While on Hullabaloo, he was the first to choreograph the Watusi, originated the Freddy as well as popularized several dances of the 1960s.
In 1966, he co-producer and choreographed the TV movie Lucy in London, which starred Lucille Ball, Buster Keaton, The Dave Clark 5, and Wilfrid Hyde-White. The David Winters Dancers also appeared in the TV movie. Also that year he acted in The Crazy-Quilt by John Korty. The David Winters Dancers also appeared in the musical television special MJ's with Sal Mineo, Phil Spector and The Dave Clark Five. Finally he choreographed two more Ann-Margret films Boris Sagal's Made in Paris, and George Sidney' The Swinger.
In 1967, Winters began to direct. His first assignments were for two episodes of the hit show The Monkees. He choreographed his fourth collaboration with Elvis Presley in John Rich's Easy Come, Easy Go. His troupe appeared in the television special Go with Herman's Hermits and Rudy Vallée. That year, he took the position of associate director in the Broadway play Of Love Remembered, directed by Burgess Meredith. It was also in 1967 that he received what he has called his biggest honor, his Emmy nomination for the choreography of the TV movie Movin' with Nancy, in which he acted with Nancy Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Lee Hazlewood, and Frank Sinatra. This was the first Emmy nomination for a choreographer in the category Special Classification of Individual Achievements. His nomination led to the creation of the Emmy's Outstanding Achievement in Choreography, for which he was nominated in 1970.

1968 to 1975: Producing and directorial breakthrough

In 1968, he co-founded the production company Winters/Rosen specialized in star-studded high rating TV specials. He reunited with Ann-Margret. He choreographed and directed her in The Ann-Margret Show co-starring Bob Hope, Carol Burnett, and Jack Benny. That year, separately from Winters/Rosen, he choreographed and performed with his troupe in the TV special . The show consists of Princess Grace Kelly guiding the public through Monte Carlo. Filled with sketches and musical numbers, she eventually encounters them as well as other celebrities such as Françoise Hardy, Terry-Thomas, Gilbert Bécaud, Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, Toni Basil, and Anita Mann.
In 1969, they re-collaborated for Ann-Margret: From Hollywood with Love, co-starring Lucille Ball, Dean Martin, and Larry Storch. Also that year, he produced and choreographed The Spring Thing, a television special hosted by Bobbie Gentry and Noel Harrison. Guest included Goldie Hawn, Meredith MacRae, Irwin C. Watson, Rod McKuen, Shirley Bassey, and Harpers Bizarre. on the set of Raquel!.In April 26, 1970 CBS released the television special Raquel! which he produced, directed and choreographed. It starred Raquel Welch, Tom Jones, Bob Hope and John Wayne. It was filmed in London, Paris, Acapulco, Mexico City, Yucatán, Big Sur, and Los Angeles and featured lavish production numbers. It marked Welch's debut special on television. Together Welch and Jones combined musical and comedic talents on classic rock 'n' roll standards of the era. Produced by Winters' company Winters/Rosen for CBS-TV, originally co-sponsored by Coca-Cola and Motorola. On the day of the premiere, the show received a 51% share on the National ARB Ratings and an overnight New York Nielsen Rating of 58% share.
In 1971, he produced and directed Once Upon a Wheel, a television documentary on the history of auto racing. It is hosted by actor Paul Newman who is a racing enthusiast. Newman narrated and hosted the documentary. Joining him was Mario Andretti, Kirk Douglas, Hugh Downs, Dean Martin, Cesar Romero, Dick Smothers and others. That same year, he was an executive producer for the television special The 5th Dimension Traveling Sunshine Show hosted by the group The 5th Dimension. Guests included Merle Haggard, The Carpenters, and Dionne Warwick.
In 1972, he produced, directed and choreographed The Special London Bridge Special, starring Tom Jones, Jennifer O'Neill, The Carpenters, Kirk Douglas, Jonathan Winters, Hermione Gingold, Lorne Greene, Chief Dan George, Charlton Heston, George Kirby, Michael Landon, Terry-Thomas, Engelbert Humperdinck, Elliott Gould, Merle Park, and Rudolf Nureyev. That year, he produced Timex All-Star Swing Festival, starring Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Dave Brubeck, Benny Goodman, Gene Krupa, and many more jazz musicians from this generation.
In 1973, he directed, choreographed and produced the musical television movie Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the lyrics were written by Lionel Bart. It starred Kirk Douglas, with Michael Redgrave, Susan Hampshire, Stanley Holloway, and Donald Pleasence.
Winters directed his first theatrical release in 1975. This was the concert film , which he also produced and choreographed. Welcome to My Nightmare was a phantasmagorical exposition of music and theater themed around a nightmare experienced by a young boy named Steven. The show was a grand visual spectacle with an elaborate stage set, pre-filmed projections, dancers, and elaborate costumes.
That same year, he produced his second theatrical picture, the comedy Linda Lovelace for President, with his then-girlfriend Linda Lovelace. The film co-starred Micky Dolenz, Val Bisoglio, and Jack DeLeon.

1976 to 1986: Subsequent success

In 1976, he was hired to choreograph Frank Pierson's A Star Is Born, starring Barbra Streisand. The film was a commercial success of its time, and went on to win the Academy Award for best song as well as three other nominations.
The following year he choreographed credits 22 episodes of TV show Donny & Mary. That year he also served as a creative consultant on Don Taylor's The Island of Dr. Moreau starring Burt Lancaster, Michael York, and Nigel Davenport.
In 1978 he choreographed the dance numbers in Steve Binder's TV movie Star Wars Holiday Special.
He produced three more films, one of which he directed: the 1979 sport comedy about tennis Racquet, starring Bert Convy, Phil Silvers, Edie Adams, and Björn Borg. He also choreographed Mark L. Lester's Roller Boogie starring Linda Blair and Jim Bray. Also in 1979, saw the televised premiere Diana Ross In Concert in which Winters conceived and directed the stage production.
In 1980. Winters directed and choreographed the stage show Goosebumps a rock musical starring Carl Anderson, Jesse Frederick, and Shabba Doo.
In 1981, he choreographed and was creative consultant for the TV special, Diana, starring Diana Ross, Quincy Jones, and Michael Jackson.
In 1982 he produced, directed, wrote, and co-starred in The Last Horror Film, starring Joe Spinell and Caroline Munro. He filmed the film guerrilla-style without permits during the Cannes Film Festival. The movie is about Vinny a New York City taxi driver who is obsessed with the international actress Jana Bates, known as the "queen of horror films". He goes to attend the Cannes Film Festival in France hoping to meet her and get her to star in his movie to kick start his career as a film director. Upon his arrival strange things start happening around Jana Bates, until it leads to a mysterious string of murders. It went on to have numerous wins, including the Paris Film Festival Award, and the Los Angeles Golden Scroll Award. At the Sitges Film Festival it was part of their official selection, and won best cinematography At the Saturn Awards the film was nominated for Best International film and Spinell' mother was nominated for best supporting actress.
In 1984 he directed two outputs, one was That Was Rock, a documentary about the concert films T.A.M.I. Show and The Big T.N.T. Show hosted by Chuck Berry. The other was a 30 minutes version of Steadfast Tin Soldier for Television, with Robert Shields and Lorene Yarnell of the Shields and Yarnell fame. Also that year he worked as an artistic adviser on the film Blame it on the Night starring Nick Mancuso based on a Mick Jagger story.
In 1985, he directed Girls of Rock & Roll for Playboy. The film is about a talent scout for the magazine who is looking for members of a new rock girl band.
In 1986, he made Thrashin, the first film about skateboarding, starring Josh Brolin, Pamela Gidley, Sherilyn Fenn, Robert Rusler and Chuck McCann. The motion picture is about Cory a teenage amateur skateboarder from out of town staying in Los Angeles with friends in hopes of competing and winning a downhill competition for which he has been training. During his stay in Los Angeles, he join a skate crew called "The Ramp Locals" and he falls for a beautiful blonde named Chrissy, who just happens to be the younger sister of Hook, the leader of "The Daggers", a tough punk rock skateboard crew of that area. Rivalries between the group grows as Cory faces the protective brother, and both prepare for skateboarding competition. The movie is notable for including soundtrack music by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fine Young Cannibals, and The Bangles before their rise to fame. The film continues to attract a cult following. That year was also a turning point for Winters. After being overruled on a casting decision for Thrashin', he made the professional decision to control all aspects of future projects. Josh Brolin was ultimately cast, but Winters' choice was a pre-21 Jump Street Johnny Depp.
That same year, he also released the action film Mission Kill, starring Robert Ginty, Merete Van Kamp, and Cameron Mitchell. On the set of the film he developed a friendship with Robert Ginty and Cameron Mitchell with whom he made multiple more films.

1987 to 1995: Executive producer, owner, and director for AIP

In 1987, Winters opened his own production company, Action International Pictures, which within five years produced, and distributed over 80 action films, as well as horror, post-apocalyptic, science fiction, and dance films. That same year he hired filmmaker David A. Prior, who had already made two film with his brother, the actor and bodybuilder Ted Prior, as leading man. That year, Winters produced three films written and directed by David A. Prior, two of them with Ted Prior as the leading man. These films have since gained an immense cult following and have been re-released on Blu-Ray. From that point on, David A. Prior wrote and directed 22 motion pictures for Action International Pictures, which Winters produced. As well, Ted Prior became a recurring star for AIP and had lead roles in eight of their films.
In 1988, he was an executive producer for Dead End City starring Dennis Cole. Shortly after the action film Rage to Kill was released on Home Video which he produced and directed. Shot in South Africa it starred James Ryan, Cameron Mitchell, Henry Cele, and Oliver Reed. That year also saw the release of Space Mutiny. Winters was assigned to produce and direct the science fiction film He had to drop out at an early stage of filming due to the death of a close relative, and most of the film was eventually directed by Neal Sundstrom. Both were un-happy with the final product, and Winters attempted to have his name replaced with a fictional one, but due to his contract he was unable to do so. The film gained a cult status and was subject for a successful episode of the TV Show Mystery Science Theater 3000. Other executive producer credits that year includes Death Chase, Night Wars with Dan Haggerty, and Phoenix The Warrior starring Persis Khambatta.
In 1989, saw the release of the action film Code Name Vengeance in which Winters directed and produced. It is his second collaboration with leading man Robert Ginty co-starring Shannon Tweed, Cameron Mitchell, Don Gordon, and James Ryan. Films for which he was executive producer were The Bounty Hunter starring, directed, and written by Robert Ginty; Order of Eagle with Frank Stallone; Future Force with David Carradine; Time Burst - The Final Alliance with Gerald Okamura, Deadly Reactor starring David Heavener; with Hell on the Battleground, and Jungle Assault both headlining Ted Prior..
In 1990, Winters continued to produced action films those with a notable cast included The Revenger with Frank Zagarino and Oliver Reed; Fatal Skies with Timothy Leary; Future Zone, the sequel of Future Force, starring David Carradine; and Deadly Dancer with Shabba Doo. The others were Operation Warzone, Rapid Fire, The Shooters, The Final Sanction, Lock 'n' Load, Born Killer, and Invasion Force.
In 1991, he executive produced more action films including Firehead, with Martin Landau, Christopher Plummer, and Chris Lemmon; Dark Rider, starring Joe Estevez; and Raw Nerve, starring Glenn Ford, Jan-Michael Vincent, Sandahl Bergman and Traci Lords. Other releases for which he was executive producer that year were Maximum Breakout, Cop-Out, Presumed Guilty, The Last Ride and White Fury.
In 1992, he was an executive producer for the film Center of the Web, starring Robert Davi, Tony Curtis, Charlene Tilton, and Charles Napier. Also in 1992, he performed the same task for Armed for Action and Blood on the Badge, both starring Joe Estevez.
In 1993, he produced Double Threat, with Sally Kirkland, Andrew Stevens, Richard Lynch, Sherrie Rose, Anthony Franciosa, and Chick Vennera. Shortly after AIP was re-branded as West Side Studios with the intent to make mainstream oriented films. Under that banner, he produced the horror-thriller film Night Trap, starring Robert Davi, Michael Ironside, Lesley-Anne Down, Margaret Avery, John Amos, Lydie Denier, and Mike Starr.
In 1994 he produced the thriller Raw Justice, starring Pamela Anderson, David Keith, Robert Hays, and Stacy Keach.
In 1995, he produced two action films starring Robert Davi: The Dangerous co-starring Joel Grey, Michael Paré, John Savage, Elliott Gould, and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, and Codename: Silencer, co-starring Steven Bauer, Sonny Chiba, Brigitte Nielsen, and Jan-Michael Vincent.

1999–2019: Later works

In the late 1990s Winters got involved with the company HandMade Films and he executive produced in England, the comedy Rhythm & Blues starring Paul Blackthorne.
In 2002, he produced, directed, and co-starred the comedy film Welcome 2 Ibiza, starring Gary Busey and Mackenzie Astin.
In 2003, he executive produced the horror film Devil's Harvest.
In 2005, in Thailand, he produced the historical epic The King Maker with Gary Stretch and John Rhys Davies which won numerous prizes, and received a big theatrical release in Asia. It was distributed for Home Video by Sony in the US, and by Universal in other countries. It was sold in thirty-six countries, making it internationally the most successful Thai Film ever made.
In 2006, Winters returned to acting after a long hiatus in the mini-series Blackbeard, made for the Hallmark Channel. It was directed by Kevin Connor, its lead star is Angus Macfadyen, and it co-stars Richard Chamberlain, Jessica Chastain, Mark Umbers, Stacy Keach, and Rachel Ward.
Circa 2008, in Thailand, Winters was in talks to build a large movie studio with acclaimed film director Oliver Stone, which has been dubbed by the press Ollywood.
In 2009, upon the passing of David Carradine in Bangkok, Thailand. Winters, who was living there at the time, came forward with alternate theories about the death of his friend.
In 2012, Winters acted in the art house drama film, Teddy Bear, for which the director Mads Matthiesen won the best directing award at the Sundance Film Festival. It won and was nominated for awards in over 11 film festivals including The European Film Awards, The Art Film Festival, and the Athens International Film Festival.
In 2015, Winters released his latest film, , where he reconnected with his original passion for dancing. The film stars winners and runners-up of the successful TV shows, So You Think You Can Dance, and Dancing with the Stars, with Witney Carson as its lead. It also co-stars Gary Daniels as her father. The movie is about Jennifer, a girl from Beverly Hills, California, falls in love with Ken, a boy who works at her father's hotel in Panama City, Florida. The two compete in a dancing competition after becoming romantically involved. It won the Wide Screen Film Festival for best director, best editor, and best score. It had a three-month theatrical run, and on DVD and Blu-ray was twice shipped in platinum quantities to major outlets throughout the United States.
On June 12, 2018, Winters released his memoir Tough Guys Do Dance. The book is about his journey in the film industry.

Death

Winters died on 23 April 2019 at the age of 80, from congestive heart failure.

Personal life

Friends with rock singer Alice Cooper upon directing the Welcome to My Nightmare Tour in the mid 1970s for Cooper, he hired a ballerina named Sheryl with whom Cooper remains married to this day.
Winters lived with and was the boyfriend of Linda Lovelace after her divorce from her first husband, their relationship lasted until 1976. She credits him for bringing culture in her life.
Married at least three times, had a brother, he was also a father with a daughter, two sons, a stepson, and a granddaughter.

Selected filmography

Actor